Dita Von Teese, Claudia Schiffer and Victoria Beckham did their best to add a wow factor to Roland Mouret’s presentation in Paris this week. But no matter how much they posed and pouted, nothing could distract us from fantasising over their shoes. Oh, the shoes!!!
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Project Runway Season 4: Episode 7 Rundown
I couldn’t help but laugh when I heard about this week’s challenge for a couple of reasons: A. It brought back memories from my senior prom (wearing stilettos for the first time, having overly coiffed hair and way too much make-up on) and B. the Catholic school, St. John Vianney, where they found this week’s models, is located in the small, fairly affluent, central Jersey town that I grew up in (luckily, I went to public school). As the girls asked for plunging necklines, short hemlines and below-the-waist backs, I grimaced and thought that Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton had successfully made their mark on young, impressionable, teenage girls everywhere.
Read MoreNew York Look: A New Magazine Fresh off the Runways
An entire magazine covering the ins and outs of Fashion Week? Sign me up! When I got my hands on the new semi-annual
Read MoreInterviews: Cecilia De Bucourt
There’s a reason why Heidi Klum and Jessica Simpson both love Argentinean model turned designer
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Interviews: Caroline Issa – Owner of Tank Magazine
Caroline Issa – owner of Tank Magazine – is known for her impeccable sense of style but fashion aside Caroline is also an astute entrepreneur. Being at the helm of such an innovative and influential publication means she’s always on the go and in the know. Here, Caroline takes some time out of her busy schedule to talk fashion, music, travel and more… Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself, your background and how you came to own Tank Magazine? I actually studied business in Philadelphia as an undergraduate and moved to San Francisco after that as a strategic management consultant, working with fashion retailers and consumer brand companies on their business strategy. Working in the US and in Asia, I was then moved to work in London with a UK-based retailer before meeting my now-business partner, Masoud Golsorkhi who had started Tank magazine four years earlier. I found him to be an inspiring partner and thought, I’m young, when else can I become an entrepreneur with such an amazing opportunity and product. Five years later, I’m still here! Any thoughts on increasing Tank’s online presence and launching a blog? We have been debating in the office what we want Tank’s online presence to be. We currently have our own project, www.tank.tv which we started five years ago showing moving images online and has had shows at the Tate Modern and the ICA. Regarding our magazine’s online presence, we are aiming to launch something unique, which doesn’t just translate what the paper version is but adds a layer for the readers. Watch this space. Your job requires that you’re constantly on the go, travelling. But which destination is your favourite spot to just getaway? I love Singapore for the food, Beijing for the sights and Montreal for […]
Read MoreModel Profile: Ali Stephens
Google the name “Ali Stephens and you’re likely to find a few dozen sites featuring a girl whose beauty is simply otherworldly, clad in Balenciaga, Chloe, and Prada (among many others) strutting down the runway like a seasoned pro. When I searched for her, I kept clicking through the list, hoping to see more photos (really, why were there so few!) and started coming across statistics for a cross-country runner named Ali Stephens from Utah with an interest in marine biology. As it turns out, these two girls are one and the same: the girl that glides down the catwalk can also run a blisteringly fast cross-country race (albeit in more practical shoes). And the reason why photographs are relatively few and far between? Ali was discovered only last August—yes, August of 2007—yet landed on the runways of the crème de la crème of designers’ weeks later in the Milan and Paris shows.
Read MoreTantrums & Tiaras: Marc Jacobs, Suzy Menkes and Cathy Horyn
Poor Marc Jacobs, he just can’t seem to catch a break. Since Suzy Menkes’ less than flattering review of his show at NY fashion week, all eyes have been on Jacobs in Paris wondering if he’d let bygones be bygones or if he was still hurting. Well a number of critics concluded it was the latter and after his amazing finale at Louis Vuitton, The Guardians, Jess Cartner-Morley hinted that Jacobs was still acting a diva and fashion journalist, Cathy Horyn wrote on her blog, I didn’t care for the gesture Jacobs made to Suzy at the end of the show. He stuck his tongue out. I guess he thought he was being cool or funny, on account of his feelings about her review of his New York show. It’s unbelievable, really. He should have known better. But wait…there’s more. Not one to keep his mouth shut (and don’t we love him for it eh?) Jacobs hit back with a comment on Horyn’s blog explaining his actions….
Read MoreA Jacobin Rebellion of a Rather Different Sort
Marc Jacobs has certainly not had a love affair with Paris. While living in the city as the creative director of Louis Vuitton, Jacobs struggled with everything from the foreign language to the lack of takeout food. But could recent events have him redesigning his previously shaky relationship with the city of lights? Jacobs is notorious for his punctuality, in fact, his Fall 2005 , Fall 2006 and Spring 2006 shows all began well behind schedule. But when his Spring 2008 presentation was two hours late, a public outcry erupted from editors and guests who felt that this time his tardiness was unforgivable. Suzy Menkes of the International Herald Tribune was especially venomous, suggesting in an interview with Women’s Wear Daily a startling desire to murder the designer. Marc’s response? Claiming to be fed up with New York, the designer is threatening to move his show to Paris next year.
Read MoreInterviews: Director of Makeup Artistry, Bianca Alexander
With the focus of the runway being on the clothes, it is easy to forget how much cosmetics are a major part of Fashion Week. This fact wasn’t lost on the geniuses over at M.A.C cosmetics who hosted a cosmetics reception at their own booth inside the tent at Bryant Park. Representatives were available to showcase the M.A.C line and makeup artists were on hand to answer questions. Bianca Alexander is the Director of Makeup Artistry for M.A.C and she knows just how influential fashion show makeup can be. I sat down with Ms. Alexander to ask her about makeup trends, tips of the trade and just how she came to have such a dream job.
Read MoreBianca Alexander- Director of Makeup Artistry
With the focus of the runway being on the clothes, it is easy to forget how much cosmetics are a major part of Fashion Week. This fact wasn’t lost on the geniuses over at M.A.C cosmetics who hosted a cosmetics reception at their own booth inside the tent at Bryant Park. Representatives were available to showcase the M.A.C line and makeup artists were on hand to answer questions. Bianca Alexander is the Director of Makeup Artistry for M.A.C and she knows just how influential fashion show makeup can be. I sat down with Ms. Alexander to ask her about makeup trends, tips of the trade and just how she came to have such a dream job.
Read MoreContemplating Couture – Spring 2007 highlights
Over the past week we have seen some of the most exceptional designers of our generation allow their creative imaginations to run wild in honour of the very privileged few that can afford to spend on them – yes, it’s been Paris couture week, the most glamorous of them all, and I’ve had the lucky task of rounding up our favourite moments and creations for you. Our top three shows were Christian Dior, Armani Prive and Christian Lacroix, and here’s why: John Galliano for Christian Dior took a trip to 1920s Kyoto with a parade of red-lipped geishas gliding along in towering platform wedges and impossibly figure hugging skirts. The overall look was almost painterly with shades of cherry-blossom pink, oriental jade and a black that could have come directly from an ink pot , feminine and unashamedly sexy.
Read MoreBack to business…
Wow, hasn’t this holiday break gone by in a flash! It was quick, but relaxing, and I spent most of it, eating, drinking and getting my fashion fix from re-runs of Sex and the City. Oh how I do miss Carrie’s style…..many can criticise but she is and will always be a style icon in my eyes. And to another icon of style, Kate Moss, – whom I still think doesn’t beat Carrie in the style stakes – the New Year has only just begun and Moss is already stealing the headlines with her possible marriage to Pete Doherty. Apparently the two skinny jean lovers didn’t tie the knot but instead engaged in a Buddhist ceremony. Anyway back to business, as fashion week will soon be upon us, I thought I’d kick of with some dates for the big players Couture Week: 22nd , 25th January 2007 New York: 2nd , 9th February 2007 London: 12th -16th February 2007 Milan: 17th February – 25th February 2007 Paris: 25th February , 5th March 2007 In addition Glasgow will be holding their fashion week from the 28th March , 31st March 2007.
Read MoreThere’s a new chief at Chloe
Gaultier’s runway surprise
In reponse to the recent size zero debate Jean Paul Gaultier sent a plus size model down the runway at his show during Paris fashion week, which celebrated his 30th anniversary in the business. [jeanpaulgaultier.com]
Read MoreLittle Miss Stella!
Imagine being constantly ignored by society who have branded you a “nobody because you are way too unfashionable and then you meet a top fashion designer who creates the most beautiful outfit for you and as if by magic you are no longer ignored and become a “somebody just because you’re wearing a top designer. Sound familiar??? Well that’s the plot behind the new “Little Miss Nobody storybook by Adam Hargreaves. The fashion designer is none other than Little Miss Stella a.k.a Stella McCartney who has now become the first real person to be turned into a Mr Men character and will be the 84th addition to the “Mr Men clan originally created by author Roger Hargreaves. Only 1000 copies have been published of the storybook with Stella’s guest appearance, which were used as invites to her show at Paris Fashion Week. [pr-inside.com]
Read MoreAngeline Tournier
“I want to make shoes that are beautifully designed and finely made, but without an over the top price tag” If your feet are on the larger side, then you’ll know a thing or two about the difficulty in not only finding your shoe size (especially in the sales) let alone actually finding cute shoes which don’t look gigantic. Well lawyer turned footwear designer Angeline Tournier can relate and as a result of her frustrations set up Angeline Tournier London, specialising in designing and manufacturing footwear ranging from sizes EU36 right up to EU44 and which look great on big feet as well as small. Paris department store, Le Bon Marche exclusively bought Angeline’s debut collection and she’s just recently released her spring/summer 2006 collection…. What do you enjoy the most about your job? Four things 1) Working for myself, 2) fulfilling a lifelong dream to create shoes available in larger sizes, 3) being creative, 4) no longer being stuck in an over-air-conditioned office, wearing “formal” clothes and spending my time analysing and sorting out other people’s legal problems, and doing a job with little creative outlet. And like the least? Working for myself means I never get “time off”, I tend to work longer hours than before and I can not “get away” from work, even on week-ends and holidays. Can you tell us a bit about the design process involved in shoe design? The design process takes place over a number of months. I kind of visualise shoes or boots I’d like to wear myself, I sketch my initial ideas, sometimes I get inspiration from a trim off an item of clothing, a type of leather I see at a leather trade show or other totally unrelated topic. A few weeks before I need to submit my drawings […]
Read MoreHelena holds exhibition
“In modelling, there is no point in trying to prove you have a brain, so why even bother. I’d sooner save the energy for something more meaningful.” -Helena Christensen Model turned photographer Helen Christensen, will be holding her first French photographic exhibition during Paris Couture week (23rd , 25th Jan) in the first floor gallery at Colette. [vogue.com]
Read MoreSymposium
LONDON AS A FASHION CAPITAL – REALITIES OF A THRIVING INDUSTRY A discussion on the realities of London’s Fashion Industry by key On|Off designers, industry experts and fashion scholars Wednesday, 21 September 2005 13:00 till 18:00 On|Off at The Royal Academy of Arts 6 Burlington Gardens, W15 3EX 1st Floor – Gallery Catwalk Room Outline London’s position as a fashion capital is well established, originally in the days of Haute Couture, alongside Paris and subsequently New York, Milan,Tokyo, Sydney and even San Paolo. Fashion therefore represents a key component within London¹s creative industries. Do the realities of the London Fashion Industry reflect this position within the increasingly demanding world of global fashion? This symposium aims to address the dichotomy between the perceptions of London as both a fashion capital of creative and innovative labels and as a reflection of fashion interacting with the cutting edge world of the arts in an eclectic array of collections. This is in contrast to the reality of a nation whose manufacturing profile is in decline and whose small labels have virtually no advertising budget or local manufacturing. The symposium will take place at the Royal Academy of Arts at the culmination of the On|Off presentations during London Fashion Week.
Read MoreGrab Your Diary: Roland Mouret at Late at the Tate
Friday 3 June 2005 19.00 – 19.30 Part of Late at Tate Britain From the eighteenth century to Wallpaper*, glamour has had an impact on more than appearance and image. It is lifestyle: fashion, music and art. This Late at Tate brings together practitioners from different disciplines to talk about the Collection displays and their lifestyle. With SHOWstudio editor in chief Penny Martin and fashion designer Roland Mouret. Tate Britain Room 24 Free, no bookings taken
Read MoreGavin Pierre Medford
A 2002 graduate of London College of Fashion, Gavin Pierre Medford in his own words “designs for both masculine or feminine women and straight laced or eccentric men”. His collections are beautiful and draw upon his obsession with surface design, attention to detail and inspiration from the past/movies. Ask Gavin about his Spring/Summer 2006 collection and his eyes beam with excitement and passion, without a doubt Gavin Medford is one to watch! Describe the type of person you design for? My aim as a designer is to see a broad range of ages, backgrounds, lifestyles etc wearing my clothes so I find it a (welcome) challenge to try and incorporate as many styles as possible into my collections. I want to see teenagers to older business people finding something in my collections that they can easily incorporate into their everyday wardrobe. What one thing would you change about the fashion industry? I would like the fashion industry to use a wider range of ages, ‘looks’ and body shapes to exhibit and promote their clothes. I have no problem at all with current agency models but I do think showing a broad range of people would give teenagers a greater choice of role models so they don’t feel the need to conform to a stereotype they see in magazines and on TV. What do you have in store for us for Spring/Summer 2006? I won’t give too much away but this will be the most advanced, technical, challenging and creative show to date. I’m also using some new cutting techniques and lets just say it will be a fashion ‘show’. What changes do you think need to be made in order to help fashion designers establish themselves? I think there should be some sort of sponsorship each season that helps fund […]
Read MoreBaby Stella
Fashion designer Stella McCartney has confirmed she is pregnant with her first child. The daughter of Sir Paul made the announcement during the launch of her new spring/summer collection at Paris Fashion Week.
Read MoreBattle of the best dressers
I really like this comment… A new comment has been posted on your blog My Fashion Life, on entry #1034 (Learning from the Japanese). Name: Uncle C Email Address: gynuwine_article@hotmail.com URL: Comments: I will agree that far east asians have a unique and captivating sense of style, but to say that they are the best dressed in the world is an overstatement. What about the Italians, bella? An Italian once told me that even the poorest Italian dresses like a milionnaire! The French ‘mon amie’ are innovators in both fashion and hairstyling, for instance to give a hairstyle class, French braids sounds more credible than Japanese braids! No disrespect to Japanese braids, love y’all! Black people also have style that is envied worldwide and benchmarked upon. An article in the times had ‘From Milan, to Paris to Brixton’. (yes it’s true the Italians are very well dressed and extremely stylish however dressing like a millionaire doesnt make you the best dresser or the most fashionable. I will stick to the Japanese cause so far they are the only ones who I feel constantly push the barriers and demonstrate that you don’t have to spend a fortune to be fashionable. They experiment and sometimes they do get it wrong, but its the fact that they are not afraid to mix and match, which for me makes them the best dressers.) More feedback: —–Original Message—– From: graphics [mailto:graphics@animeigo.com] Sent: 25 March 2004 14:01 To: contact@myfashionlife.com Subject: Lovely, Lovely site! Hello! I stumbled upon your site, and I have to say WOW! You have really done it! It is the perfect combination of internet meets fashion! I am an artist and jewelry designer. I would be honored if you checked out my web site at www.jldesignsgallery.com. We are still starting out, but already […]
Read MoreThe show must go on
Naomi has not done herself any favours by leaving Julien McDonald one supermodel down just hours before she was supposed to model for him at London Fashion Week on Wednesday. “Julien’s had problems getting the right press coverage here because London Fashion Week isn’t as high profile as the Paris or Milan events. So he knows how important a big-name clothes horse is and Naomi, whom he considered a friend, was booked as the headline model months ago”, a fashion insider said Let’s hope they can kiss and make up.
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